A reminder that some cuts can be very costly

Airbus say too many parts of its jets, and those of other makers, are dropping off or working loose during flights and has urged more vigilance in what airlines call ‘walk around inspections’.

Problem: Some airlines don’t do walk arounds anymore, or as often, or as expertly as before, and the risk is one day something lethal, like an infestation of insects blocking speed measuring pitots, might be overlooked, as happened to a 757 in 1996 with a loss of 189 lives.

The technical bulletin from Airbus to airlines seems to be aimed at managements that don’t think that frequently used airliners need walk around inspections by trained engineers.

It comes in the form of an ‘Operator Information Transmission’ dated in December in which Airbus says:

1. PURPOSE

The purpose of this OIT is to remind Airbus operators the importance of reporting any System or Structural Part found detached from an A/C during walk around inspection, or maintenance activity, no matter the shape, material, size or weight.

2. BACKGROUND

Worldwide there have been an increased number of reports of parts being found as becoming detached from aircraft, of all manufacturers, in all flight phases. As an aircraft type certificate holder, Airbus is responsible to provide figures to their certifying authorities on reports of Parts Departing Aircraft (PDA), and it is also our responsibility to launch respective corrective actions if required to address these issues and prevent reoccurrence.

In line with AMC 20-8 and AMC and GM PART 21A.3B(b), which provides guidance on occurrences to be reported, loss of any part of the aircraft structure in flight is classified as a reportable occurrence.

3. DESCRIPTION

Whenever an Airbus aircraft operator experiences a PDA event, it is requested that this be reported to Airbus. Accurate and timely reporting of PDA occurrence will allow Airbus to:

- Monitor the efficiency of proposed solutions that have been developed deployed.

- Apply in service experience on future programs.

Qantas still makes walk around inspections of its aircraft, but in the case of domestic flights, not as often as before, nor with what its remaining but falling numbers of licensed aircraft engineers consider suitably trained staff in some circumstances.

It’s an argument most travellers would be unaware of or would prefer to ignore, but one that if the worst came to pass, everyone will hear about.

Thank you for raising this issue Ben. The constant cost cutting has degraded the extent and regularity of inspections carried out by suitably qualified engineers. The aircraft manufacturers are to blame for much of this by selling aircraft as “new gen” aircraft. Those that somehow manage to avoid the defects “old gen “aircraft develop.They don’t. I am sure with better , more regular inspections many of these PDA events could be avoided.

All good and well for one part of Airbus to be rightly concerned about this safety issue. Though, I’m pretty sure when their sales teams are pitching to clients, one of the advantages spouted is that the aircraft saves you maintenance due to super onboard diagnostic systems, so no more walk around inspections after every flight, but only at the start of the day as some airlines have espoused.

I just flew on a B767 that had a small delamination of skin from structure on a wing panel apparently un-noticed by the operator, it bothers me after reading this it will potentially never be picked up by the untrained or the uncommitted walk arounds. I wanted to mention it to the operating crew but i knew they will probably say the ‘thanks but the next walk around will catch it’. A regular walk around seems like such a small investment to save money down the line that will then actually turn out to be a ‘cost cut’

Cotos,please always report it. Aloha springs to mind. I believe one of the pax saw a fuselage crack during boarding. 767s still get a pre flight (in Oz anyway) but upper wing surfaces are not easily inspected from the ground without stands and that is not within the scope of the pre flight check.

The 767 does have a special pop up panel to accommodate a section of the landing gear during transit. This does cause some passenger alarm at times.

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About this blog

A reporter since November 30, 1960, Ben Sandilands looks at what really matters up in the sky: public administration of air transport and its safety, the accountability of the carriers, and space for everyone’s knees.